The 251-room Princeville Resort is considered by many to be the premier luxury option in Hawaii, and given the stunning setting overlooking Hanalei Bay, it's hard to disagree. Guests can expect warm, sophisticated decor, suites with personal butler service, world-class golf, and a memorable breakfast buffet on a terrace with gorgeous ocean views. The discerning clientele this resort attracts will find little to fault, though if one had to nitpick, the formal dress code might not appeal to everyone, and food prices -- as one might expect at this caliber of property -- are steep. The location on Kauai's lush, ruggedly beautiful northern coast makes for natural beauty that's unparalleled, but rain is more frequent here and the beach, though lovely, doesn't have the finest sand.
The 251-room Princeville Resort is considered by many to be the premier luxury option in Hawaii, and given the stunning setting overlooking Hanalei Bay, it's hard to disagree. Guests can expect warm, sophisticated decor, suites with personal butler service, world-class golf, and a memorable breakfast buffet on a terrace with gorgeous ocean views. The discerning clientele this resort attracts will find little to fault, though if one had to nitpick, the formal dress code might not appeal to everyone, and food prices -- as one might expect at this caliber of property -- are steep. The location on Kauai's lush, ruggedly beautiful northern coast makes for natural beauty that's unparalleled, but rain is more frequent here and the beach, though lovely, doesn't have the finest sand.
One of the top powerhouse resorts on Kaanapali Beach, the four-pearl Hyatt Regency Maui Resort and Spa has a seemingly endless list of amenities, restaurants, a massive pool complex, modern rooms, and nightly luaus -- but there are major crowds, extra charges for parking and resort fees, and construction noise. Overall, the Hyatt Regency's massive grounds and friendly-but-impersonal service aren't too different from its Kaanapali competitors, like the Westin Maui. The major difference? While they're all technically located on the same great four-mile stretch of Kaanapali Beach, the Hyatt faces a stretch that's far narrower and not as convenient for swimming.
One of the top powerhouse resorts on Kaanapali Beach, the four-pearl Hyatt Regency Maui Resort and Spa has a seemingly endless list of amenities, restaurants, a massive pool complex, modern rooms, and nightly luaus -- but there are major crowds, extra charges for parking and resort fees, and construction noise. Overall, the Hyatt Regency's massive grounds and friendly-but-impersonal service aren't too different from its Kaanapali competitors, like the Westin Maui. The major difference? While they're all technically located on the same great four-mile stretch of Kaanapali Beach, the Hyatt faces a stretch that's far narrower and not as convenient for swimming.
This low-key, low-rise condo hotel in serene Napili Bay has an authentic Hawaiian vibe that you won't find at Maui's mega-resorts. The pools are small, the gym is small and dank, and some rooms could use renovation, but it's still a gem for travelers intent on quiet, beachside relaxation and an ocean view from every room.
This low-key, low-rise condo hotel in serene Napili Bay has an authentic Hawaiian vibe that you won't find at Maui's mega-resorts. The pools are small, the gym is small and dank, and some rooms could use renovation, but it's still a gem for travelers intent on quiet, beachside relaxation and an ocean view from every room.
A Marriott Vacation Club property with 442 studio, one-, and two-bedroom villas, Marriott’s Maui Ocean Club - Lahaina & Napili Towers primarily appeals to families with kids. The property’s three massive pool complexes feature kid-friendly amenities, like water slides and climbable pirate ships, and the hotel’s beachfront location means guests have easy access to Maui’s famous Kaanapali Beach. Most villas are equipped with full kitchens and in-unit laundry, and feature separate living and sleeping spaces. The resort has one full service restaurant, a poolside grab-and-go, and a Starbucks, but on-site dining is mediocre at best. It’s worth comparing rates at The Westin Kaanapali Ocean Resort Villas, a similar (though much newer) property with nicer rooms.
A Marriott Vacation Club property with 442 studio, one-, and two-bedroom villas, Marriott’s Maui Ocean Club - Lahaina & Napili Towers primarily appeals to families with kids. The property’s three massive pool complexes feature kid-friendly amenities, like water slides and climbable pirate ships, and the hotel’s beachfront location means guests have easy access to Maui’s famous Kaanapali Beach. Most villas are equipped with full kitchens and in-unit laundry, and feature separate living and sleeping spaces. The resort has one full service restaurant, a poolside grab-and-go, and a Starbucks, but on-site dining is mediocre at best. It’s worth comparing rates at The Westin Kaanapali Ocean Resort Villas, a similar (though much newer) property with nicer rooms.
The 463-room mid-range Aston Kaanapali Shores, located on the western shore of Maui, is an oceanfront resort offering hotel rooms and apartments of various sizes with full kitchens and furnished lanais. The resort has a laid-back, homey vibe, combining hotel amenities and the benefits of a casual condo community. There’s also a golden sand beach right on the grounds. Rooms and apartments are privately owned and vary in terms of decor and furnishings, but all are pleasant and clean.
The 463-room mid-range Aston Kaanapali Shores, located on the western shore of Maui, is an oceanfront resort offering hotel rooms and apartments of various sizes with full kitchens and furnished lanais. The resort has a laid-back, homey vibe, combining hotel amenities and the benefits of a casual condo community. There’s also a golden sand beach right on the grounds. Rooms and apartments are privately owned and vary in terms of decor and furnishings, but all are pleasant and clean.
Honua Kai Resort & Spa, made up of individually owned units, combines hotel amenities in an upscale condominium complex. The rooms are huge, with full modern kitchens and private lanais, though not all have the best ocean views, and different owners provide different decor and amenities. The expansive beachfront grounds have multiple connecting pools and hot tubs that can get overrun with kids making the most of the waterslide. Couples can find solace in the adults-only pool, but the laid-back vibe may be lacking. Eco-conscious travelers will likely appreciate the restaurant and cafe's focus on local produce -- even the spa features an organic Hawaiian product line whose ingredients are sourced from the islands. The steep prices and the daily resort fee might trigger a bit of sticker shock, but as family-friendly Maui destinations go, this one is highly recommended.
Honua Kai Resort & Spa, made up of individually owned units, combines hotel amenities in an upscale condominium complex. The rooms are huge, with full modern kitchens and private lanais, though not all have the best ocean views, and different owners provide different decor and amenities. The expansive beachfront grounds have multiple connecting pools and hot tubs that can get overrun with kids making the most of the waterslide. Couples can find solace in the adults-only pool, but the laid-back vibe may be lacking. Eco-conscious travelers will likely appreciate the restaurant and cafe's focus on local produce -- even the spa features an organic Hawaiian product line whose ingredients are sourced from the islands. The steep prices and the daily resort fee might trigger a bit of sticker shock, but as family-friendly Maui destinations go, this one is highly recommended.
One of the best luxury resorts on Kauai, the 602-room Grand Hyatt Kauai draws guests with spacious, Hawaiian-inspired rooms, three incredible pools, a behemoth saltwater lagoon, 10 dining options, including a host of high-end restaurants, a renowned spa, a twice-weekly luau, and immaculately kept tropical grounds. Its large range of features allows it to have broad appeal, and a non-stop cycle of families, honeymooners, business travelers, and wedding parties filter through the property week after week. Travelers looking for an equally luxurious property without all the fanfare should check out nearby Koa Kea Resort, which is smaller, cheaper, and offers half of the amenities of the Hyatt.
One of the best luxury resorts on Kauai, the 602-room Grand Hyatt Kauai draws guests with spacious, Hawaiian-inspired rooms, three incredible pools, a behemoth saltwater lagoon, 10 dining options, including a host of high-end restaurants, a renowned spa, a twice-weekly luau, and immaculately kept tropical grounds. Its large range of features allows it to have broad appeal, and a non-stop cycle of families, honeymooners, business travelers, and wedding parties filter through the property week after week. Travelers looking for an equally luxurious property without all the fanfare should check out nearby Koa Kea Resort, which is smaller, cheaper, and offers half of the amenities of the Hyatt.
Located next to the Kiahuna Plantation and Koa Kea, this 238-room Poipu resort offers huge two-bedroom villas with kitchens, three great pools, and a 24-hour fitness center, but there's no full restaurant and you can find more luxurious units on Kauai for a similar price.
Located next to the Kiahuna Plantation and Koa Kea, this 238-room Poipu resort offers huge two-bedroom villas with kitchens, three great pools, and a 24-hour fitness center, but there's no full restaurant and you can find more luxurious units on Kauai for a similar price.
A so-so condo-resort tucked away in the outskirts of touristy Poipu, the Point offers huge, two-bedroom suites with full kitchens and a sandy-entry pool, but little else. It lacks a beach, the food is bad, and the grounds aren't well maintained. All-around better beachside hotels are the Castle and the Outrigger Kiahuna Plantation.
A so-so condo-resort tucked away in the outskirts of touristy Poipu, the Point offers huge, two-bedroom suites with full kitchens and a sandy-entry pool, but little else. It lacks a beach, the food is bad, and the grounds aren't well maintained. All-around better beachside hotels are the Castle and the Outrigger Kiahuna Plantation.
This luxury hotel has villa-style rooms that are some of the largest in Kauai, ranging from 1,300-square-foot one-bedroom apartments to 3,600-square-foot four-bedroom penthouses. All villas have huge private lanais and modern Hawaiian decor throughout. There are three beautiful pools -- including one for families and one exclusively for adults -- but the nearest swimmable beach is a 10-minute walk from the hotel. The spa is smaller than at other luxury resorts in the area, but the hotel's newer features, like a 13,000-square-foot lagoon pool and poolside bar and grill, are welcome additions. The Villas at Poipu Kai offers equally luxurious accommodations for similar nightly rates.
This luxury hotel has villa-style rooms that are some of the largest in Kauai, ranging from 1,300-square-foot one-bedroom apartments to 3,600-square-foot four-bedroom penthouses. All villas have huge private lanais and modern Hawaiian decor throughout. There are three beautiful pools -- including one for families and one exclusively for adults -- but the nearest swimmable beach is a 10-minute walk from the hotel. The spa is smaller than at other luxury resorts in the area, but the hotel's newer features, like a 13,000-square-foot lagoon pool and poolside bar and grill, are welcome additions. The Villas at Poipu Kai offers equally luxurious accommodations for similar nightly rates.